Background
Representing the majority of enterprises, micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are important taskforces for employment creation and poverty reduction in The Gambia. MSMEs provide a significant share of employment and comprise critical livelihood opportunities for women, youth and groups in vulnerable conditions. With the coming into force of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), a great opportunity is availed to MSMEs to benefit from increased high-value market opportunities. To ensure the realization of benefits of AfCFTA to MSMEs, it requires deliberate actions taken by government authorities and inclusive partnerships with diverse stakeholders. In this background, the high-level policy workshop is jointly organized by the Division for Sustainable Development Goals, Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DSDG/DESA), the UN Country Team in The Gambia and the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment (MoTIE). It aimed to facilitate dialogue among senior policymakers, MSME entrepreneurs and researchers and provide policy recommendations to strengthen the capacity of Gambian MSMEs to leverage opportunities brought by the AfCFTA. It explored good practices and solutions to address potential challenges the AfCFTA may pose to MSMEs in The Gambia, where MSME formalization could be a way to strengthen the resilience of MSMEs to challenges and external shocks.
Announcements
Statements
Presentations
Programme
